Teochew opera is a traditional art form with a history of more than 500 years. While the Teochew dialect is still widely spoken here in Singapore, it´s a rare treat to watch a "live" Teochew opera show today.Even rarer still is the opportunity to go backstage to watch rehearsals and observe the actors wear their make-up and costumes.

The audience only get to see the actors on stage, complete with make-up and colourful costumes, I had a peek into a whole world of backstage excitement to see them transform from ordinary people into larger-than-life characters. It was a whole world of excitement backstage.It was not long before I felt very comfortable amongst everyone, they were all so friendly and welcoming, for me it was truly an 'honour' to be able to watch and photograph the performers at this time and who made it so much easier for me.

I stood around most of the time mesmerized at the time and effort it was taking to apply the make up, watching the 'transformation' and the costumes, I knew this was an amazing opportunity and was mostly due to Xin Xin Rong He Teochew Opera Troupe 新新荣和潮剧 and for that, I say a huge thank you.

Esplanade offered rich cultural feast at this year's Mid-Autumn Festival through traditional Chinese art forms and Chinese opera. A street opera stage was specially built at the Esplanade to allow visitors enjoy free Chinese street opera performances for three consecutive nights, starting from Friday (28th) to Sunday (30th September).The stage is located at the Esplanade's open-air waterfront space, The Edge and it played host to local groups performing Cantonese, Teochew and Hokkien Opera. There were three 45-minute shows each night featuring excerpts of popular productions such as The Legend of White Snake and Justice Bao.I went for the performance staged by the Xin Xin Rong He 新新荣和潮剧 Teochew Opera Troupe last evening, Saturday and indeed, it was an eye-opener for me. I will be doing two blog posts (Part 1 & 2) to document on this Teochew Opera performance - one on the front stage performance and the other will be on behind the scenes of a street opera stage.

These days, Chinese street opera is performed mainly at Chinese temple functions and events. The street opera held at this Esplanade Moonfest brought back the heyday of street opera and also expose younger audiences to this form of art. Chinese and English subtitles were provided for the street opera performances to make it accessible to audiences who do not understand Chinese dialects.

Celebrated globally for the fourth year, Arthur’s Day is an annual music event which celebrates those who, like GUINNESS founder Arthur Guinness, are distinctive, bold and epitomise the concept “Made of More”. It is also a celebration of Arthur Guinness’ legacy and the much loved GUINNESS brand.The Arthur’s Day celebrations was first organised in 2009 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the original lease at St. James’s Gate in Dublin, Ireland. Set to be the biggest Arthur’s Day yet, this year’s edition will take place in over 55 countries, kicking off on 27th September through to 28th September. This year, it is estimated that more than 1.5 million GUINNESS fans and music lovers will participate in Arthur’s Day globally, at a series of music events featuring acts ranging from high-profile international artists, to emerging local talent.Singapore hosted its celebrations with the first Guinness Arthur's Day Concert last evening, 28th September at The MAX Pavilion, Singapore EXPO.

September is one of my favorite months. It is no secret that I really dislike summer and am never sorry to see it end. September brings such promise. Promise of cooler evenings and gradually cooler days.For me, September signals a return to a simpler life. I was an advocate of the simple living lifestyle long before it was cool and I've worked very hard in the recent years to make my life less complicated. When I was writing this blog post, I kept thinking something seemed familiar. Sure enough, last July, I wrote a post titled "Take a step back, you'll have a brighter future". It spoke of my thoughts at how complicated life seemed to be sometimes and things may actually turn for the better if you are willing to take a step back in life. I will have to say I'm pleased that some of those changes about which I spoke are still working for me a year later.

A beautiful sunrise in the month of September

And here we are in September of 2012, I thought it's time to revisit whether i can find even more ways to achieve a simpler life. Being busy and being productive do not always go hand in hand. Some of the most productive people I've ever known would appear to be the least busy. That doesn't just happen. Those people have worked very hard to simplify their lives in ways which accomplish the important things, consolidate the things that can be merged and eliminate the time-wasters. I share my experiences with all of you in the hopes that it might inspire you to search for ways to make your own life less complicated allowing a greater sense of freedom even though your days may be full.Also, please bear in mind that I fully understand many of you may have a busy, stressful or hectic job which I do not. But neither do I believe that can be used as an excuse for an overly complicated life. Everyone, I believe, can find ways to simplify if they'll only make the effort to try.Please enjoy yourselves in the next remaining few days of September and remember to have fun! Cheers :-)

The trishaw was a common means of transport back in the olden days in Singapore. The three-wheeled vehicle existed in its earlier form as the "rickshaw puller" in China and was manually pulled by a rider in front of a seat attached to two big wheels. The trishaw made its debut in Singapore in the 1940s and although we do not see many trishaws on the roads now, it remains a strong icon of our rich cultural history.Trishaw riders began initially as rickshaw pullers. With the evolution of rickshaws to the three-wheeled trishaws, many became trishaw riders often using the vehicle as their own home or for hawking food.Trishaw riders were primarily Chinese immigrants who had worked as coolies or rickshaw pullers. Many trishaw riders can converse fairly fluently in different dialects as well as a little English. Most of these rickshaw pullers came to Singapore around the period of World War II, with the bulk arriving during the late 1930s. Most of those who took on the job had little skills and needed to earn a living fast. Many modified their trishaws so that it often served as a roving hawker stall as well.

Today's trishaw riders serve mainly tourists and a large proportion of the tourist rides are driven through the historical sites of Singapore, the blaring music of radios boxed into the trishaws' seats and their brightly coloured lights announcing their presence. Pick up point is at Albert Centre Market and Food Centre, off Rochor Road and these tours cost about S$15 per person.

POSB and the People’s Association tied up once again yesterday on a sunny Sunday to organise the POSB PAssion Run for Kids to raise funds for less fortunate children.The POSB PAssion Kids Fund aims to support the children in the community through different programmes. It is part of the People's Association Community Development Fund (PACDF) whose objective is to promote activities and programmes which will contribute towards social capital and community development.There's a variety of personal reasons why you slip on your trainers and get out for a run, but some take it up a notch by choosing to raise money while they run. I prefer to use my running to contribute positively for charity or to the less fortunate. Running for charity can be a hugely rewarding activity.

The National Heritage Board together with the Singapore & Malaysian Vintage Car Register held their 2012 Motoring Heritage Day at the closed Tanjong Pagar Railway Station over the weekend (8th-9th Sep 2012). It was a fitting location as the two day event not only showcased the cars from days gone by, but at the same time, the now unused train station was opened up for visitors to roam another relic of transportation, as well as breathing a little life back for the historical building.

I found myself intrigued by the beauty of these cars. These cars looked more beautiful to me than modern cars. I had the pleasure to speak with the owners of one of the cars and learnt that his vintage car is of a very durable model.The olden classics of yesteryear have always attracted attention from the car fanatics whether it is vintage, antique or limited edition models. Very classic and nostalgic!

The last living vestiges of yesteryear, traditional peddlers are now slowly but surely disappearing from our streets as we continue the relentless march towards commercialism and modernity. Despite the humble and informal nature of their work, it is important for us to remember that these peddlers bear testimony to the entrepreneurial spirit of our city-state and are part of a rich cultural heritage spanning back to the early years of the twentieth century. I was suddenly reminded of my primary school days. I remember one particular street peddler from my childhood - Kacang Puteh Seller. There used to be a kacang puteh waiting outside my primary school for patrons and i will faithfully buy from him as a form of support. Nowadays, those lucky enough will find one of Singapore’s few remaining kacang puteh sellers with his cart of dried and sugared nuts outside Peace Centre.

Kacang Puteh Sellers were very popular till the 1990s. We have the Indian community to thank for introducing this snack, which originated from “chevdo”, a seasoned vegetarian snack made with crisped rice, potato, cereal, noodles, and different beans.

A start to a happy weekend! The latest issue of Lonely Planet Asia Travel Magazine is finally out in bookstores! I have been waiting anxiously for the release of publication as one of my photos taken at the Tanjung Uma Village in Batam, Indonesia is being published in the latest September / October 2012 Issue of the magazine. Yippee :-)

If you've been reading my blog for at least a year, by now you should have realised that September is one of my most favorite months of the year. Why is that so? Simply because it's my birth month!In my birth month, here goes my promises of more amazing and inspirational photos to be blogged (as always) - In fact, that's what i can really offer to all of my photography blog followers. I am also currently in the midst of doing some local photo documentary shoots in which i hope to share some of those shots with all of you soon! :-)For sharing purposes, here are a few photos that i had taken during some of my recent birthday celebrations with some best buddies - i must say that each was a blastful moment with much great appreciation built up over the long years!Just a note to my other best buddies of all times (Doraine, KH, Scorpio, AC, MA, JY & JL) whom i had received heartfelt wishes and gifts during my birth month, though i wasn't able to meet up with all of you to have a fun celebration - THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Thank you for being such a great buddy for so many years, thank you for knowing and accepting who i am and being so supportive in whatever i do. Whatever it is and wherever i am, i will forever be grateful for your friendship and support.